A Place Called Blessing: Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins
By John Trent and Annette Smith
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
“If you’ve ever doubted your ability to be a vessel of grace and healing in the life of someone who’s hurting, you need to read A Place Called Blessing. It is the story of a wounded soul named Josh, but chances are there is a Josh living next door to you or even sitting near you in the pew at church.”—Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family
His whole life has been a story of hurt and rejection. Is one family’s love enough to turn it all around?
Josh lost his parents in a drunk-driving accident and lost track of his two brothers after a tragic fire. By age eighteen, he is an angry young man who only wants a job, an apartment, and to be left alone. Instead, he meets Mike and Anna, an unusual son-and-mother team who draw him into their lives. For the first time, Josh receives unconditional love and something every human being craves, the gift of “the blessing.” But tragedy strikes again, and a shocking secret is revealed. Can Josh hang on to what he’s learned about blessings, curses, and family?
The life-changing message of the relational classic, The Blessing—now in compelling story form. Complete with a reader’s guide to help you identify and apply the five elements of the biblical blessing to your own life and relationships.
Visit www.TheBlessing.com for more information and an opportunity to join The Blessing Challenge, one million people choosing to change the life of one child—their child!
John Trent
John Trent, PhD, a noted speaker and author, is president of StrongFamilies.com. He and Gary Smalley have won Gold Medallion writing awards for their books The Blessing and The Two Sides of Love. Dr. Trent has also written several children's books, including I'd Choose You! based on The Blessing, and his Gold Medallion award-winning book on children's personalities, The Treasure Tree. Dr. Trent maintains a private practice, certifies Lifemapping and Strengths coaches through ICCI, and teaches clinical mental health counselors at Phoenix Seminary and DMin students in marriage and family at Dallas Seminary.
Read more from John Trent
Love Is A Decision: Proven Techniques to Keep Your Marriage Alive and Lively Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Counselor's Guide to Christian Mindfulness: Engaging the Mind, Body, and Soul in Biblical Practices and Therapies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChasing Skinny Rabbits: What Leads You Into Emotional and Spiritual Exhaustion...and What Can Lead You Out Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Love: The Secret to Being Instantly Understood Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Breaking the Cycle of Divorce: How Your Marriage Can Succeed Even If Your Parents' Didn't Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChasing Skinny Rabbits Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/530 Ways a Father Can Bless His Children Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Two Sides of Love: The Secret to Valuing Differences Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running Toward Life: Finding Community and Wisdom in the Distances We Run Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Live Forever: A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeading From Your Strengths 2: Building Intimacy In Your Small Group Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeading From Your Strengths: Ministry Teams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsParenting from Your Strengths: Understanding Strengths and Valuing Differences in Your Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecond Sunrise: Five Decades of History at the Western States Endurance Run Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to A Place Called Blessing
Related ebooks
Sweet Sanctuary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love, Skip, Jump: Start Living the Adventure of Yes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hope in the Eleventh Hour: A Mother's Journey through Grief with Eternal Eyes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShe Reigns: Conquering Your Triggers, Fears, and Worries with God's Truth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Twelve Stories of Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Is with You: That Is All You Need Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFootprints: 50th Anniversary Treasury Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Slow Burn: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Courage to Go: A Memoir of the Seven Thousand Miles That Healed Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTake My Hand Again: A Faith-Based Guide for Helping Aging Parents Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost on a Mountain in Maine Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Characters of Christmas: A 25 Day Family Devotional Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTenacity at Christmas: 31 Daily Devotions for December: Tenacity Christian Devotionals, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Year in the Woods Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFollowing His Joy: Set Me Free from Anxiety Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod and the Outhouse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christmas Cross Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When Holidays Hurt: Finding Hidden Hope Amid Pain and Loss Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHot Tropics and Cold Feet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Life from the UpSide: Seeing God at Work in the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFive Keys to Health and Healing: Hope for Body, Mind, and Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShine: Being His Light in Darkness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDr. Horatio vs. the Six-Toed Cat Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Stroke of Heaven: Processing a Brain Injury and the Events Thereafter Through a Spiritual Lens Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Journey. What If It’s Not About Being “Better”? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGeneration Change, Revised and Expanded Edition: Roll Up Your Sleeves and Change the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaisy Chain: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bryson City Seasons: More Tales of a Doctor’s Practice in the Smoky Mountains Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I Just Can't Take It Anymore!: Encouragement When Life Gets You Down Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeautiful on the Mountain: An Inspiring True Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for A Place Called Blessing
7 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5this is an amazing book. From start to finish i couldn't put it down. I read it in a day. Such a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. I think everyone should read this book I'm sure glad i did.A child should never have to go through what Josh did, but made him a stronger person and a better man.No matter what happens in your life God is always there. You may not understand why? but there is always a reason.John Trent told a good story with a wonderful message
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Place Called Blessing is a story based on the original book by John Trent, The Blessing. This story takes one step further the five essential elements to being a blessing to others; meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing special future, an active commitment. The story begins with Josh as a young boy and his two brothers being raised by their parents who are too ‘young and dumb’ to take care of them. The boys fend for themselves and often are neglected and left hungry. The parents are killed in a car crash and Josh at the age of 4 is put into the Foster Care system along with his brothers. Being difficult to keep 3 active boys together, Josh often times was without his brothers and rotated between foster homes until he was 6. Tragedy at his next foster home ends him up being labeled as non placeable in his own eyes, and he continues through the system until he is released at age 18 with no family and no money. God had a plan for Josh though and through courage and perseverance he landed a good started job, stayed nights wherever he could find. Eventually he got a job with the city, found a room to rent and life was progressing. He became friends with the home owner Anna and her adult son Mike, and for the first time in his life he was able to see what The Blessing was truly about. Each of us a Christians should strive to make our home and our hearts a place called blessing. To reach out to those who are lost in the world, regardless of age or stereotypes. I appreciated the story format of the book , for me it is easier to grasp the message and theme through story mode than a nonfiction type format. The subtitle of the book is Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins, and that would be a place we all pray for.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Trent, John. A Place Called Blessing: Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011.This book tells the story of Josh, a young man orphaned at an early age. After a fire at a foster home that killed a young child, Josh is split from his two brothers, who are adopted, while he spends his youth living in a state children home. When Josh turns eighteen, Josh is hardened but is able to find a job in construction. Eventually, he befriends Mike, a college intern, and rents a room with him and his mother, Anna. Josh resists their attempt at friendship, but eventually allows them into his life. Josh learns to love when Mike cancer comes back. Josh promises to take of Mike’s mother when he dies. Josh is helped by Mike’s cousin, Lori, after Mike dies. Josh and Lori fall in love as they are taking care of Anna. Josh understands the meaning of love when he finds out that the young girl he killed was Anna’s daughter. Mike and Lori eventually marry and he is reunited with his brothers.This book was an easy and enjoyable read, though a bit predictable. If one is looking for a “warm fuzzy” book then I would recommend this book. This book shows how a person can change their life and others through love and blessing. However, there was some confusing aspects of this book. The book is written from a first person view, however, at the end of the book the author mentions that there were some aspects that were fictionalized. However, I am still not sure what is fact and fiction. In addition, the purpose of the book is unclear. The book is written as part of a project for strengthening families, however, the book itself is not really about families. Rather it is about people reaching out to each other. Nevertheless, even with these problems, the book is worth the read.